The Santa Cruz trek departs from beautiful Mecca to the famous Huaraz. This region is consistently overshadowed by Cusco & Machu Picchu, but thats what makes this place so magical – with towering snowcapped peaks, and no crowds. This trek takes you through fertile valleys, has views of magnificent, spiraling high glaciated peaks, flower-filled meadows and glacier-fed turquoise lakes. This world-famous circuit crosses from one side of the Cordillera Blanca range to the other through ascending the Punta Union Pass reaching an elevation of 4750m/15,583ft. It is a trek that will give you memories that last a lifetime.
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After breakfast in the hotel travel by private bus along the Callejón de Huaylas. This drive takes us through many traditional Andean towns. Make our first stop in Carhuaz (2,650m/86,92ft). Here you will find homemade ice-cream from a local fruit stand and authentic ecological handcrafts shown in el Abuelo handcrafts shop. Continue to the city of Caraz where we purchase any needed supplies. From here we travel to the Cashapampa District to meet the donkey drivers at the trailhead. After the donkeys are loaded with our camping equipment, set out on the five to six hour hike to our first camp, Llamacorral (3760m/12332ft).
Today will be a quiet walk through the valley of Santa Cruz filled with breathtaking vistas. After breakfast begin the two-hour hike to Ichiccocha Lake and Jatuncocha Lake, arrive to a beautiful spot where will have lunch with views of the impressive Alpamayo peak. After lunch, go to the Arhueycocha lake –base camp of Alpamayo. Then continue until we reach Taullipampa 4,250m/13,943ft.
After breakfast we will start hiking at 8am. A four-hour hike will bring us to the Punta Union Pass (4,750m/15,580ft) we have lunch while enjoying the splendid scenery. From here you have complete panorama views of glaciated mountains, blue skies, and unique landscapes. These sites will be our companions during this high altitude picnic. After lunch descend for approximately three to four hours to our final camp, Cachinapampa (3800m/12464ft).
After breakfast we will descend for about 2 1/2 hours to Vaqueria. There our private van will be waiting for us for transfer to Yuraccorral. We will pass through Portachuelo Pass (4,770m/15,646ft). From this pass be rewarded with views in the heart of the Andes. Few people in the world have seen this vista. North and South Huascaran, Huandoys, Pisco, and Chacraraju are a few of the peaks you will see and also the incredible LLanganuco Lakes.
Note: This itinerary is subject to change without prior notice according to weather conditions, strikes, roadblocks, or other events which are beyond our control. We do our best to follow the itinerary as closely as possible.
Huaraz
Up to 8 People
Group
Hiking / Trekking
Moderate / Difficult
April - October
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5.0
I enjoyed this trip of my life. Specialy thanks to our ports And Johnys amazing guiding. Thanks a lot. Martina group from Czech
5.0
An experience of a lifetime and much of this reason was because our tour guide Jhony who is incredibly knowledgeable, personable, kind, and has a great sense of humor. There were times on the trail where I struggled and went super slow and he really helped me push through in a non-pressuring way. He was honest about conditions and provided us with plenty of interesting information. Making it to Machu Picchu was so worth it. Only two others besides my boyfriend and I so it was really intimate experience . Transportation, food, facilities, all was perfect. The nature was indescribably magical. You have to see it to understand. Book this tour!
5.0
The company is amazing and jhony is an incredible guide. We had so much fun, the porters were so nice. I recommend Sam travel and jhony to anyone interesting in the Inca trail or any activity here in Peru. The food was delicious as well. This was an incredible experience with great people!